Funerals
Don’t weep for me For I’ve made it home Through Heaven’s gates There I may roam Wipe your tears And dry your eyes I’m in a better place With Heaven as my prize.
~ Song of the Saints
Even the brightest, greenest leaves fall, and Maria Rickitita Naa Dedei Aryee, our beloved has been called home.
She was joy and laughter personified but illness could not dim her glow.
A lifetime’s worth of dancing and grace bundled into the human body of one beautiful young 11 year old, having brightened this world when she was born on April 4th, 2012.
She contributed to the First Love Lovelets service for years; singing and leading many of her own peers and other children in worship.
Her light touched all— friends, family and school mates alike.
That light continues to shine in heaven, a place better suited for Angels like our Maria.
She is survived by her parents; Bishop Ernest Aryee, Mother, Erica Luca Aryee, and her siblings; Angel, Rick-Dag and Israel.
A farewell service was held on Thursday, 27th April 2023 for this beautiful soul who walked amongst us. Many attended this service in Anagkazo – Mampong from far and near in honour of her. Amongst them were her friends from St. Adelaide’s International School and the many other lives that her life has touched.
During the COVID era Flow service season with Prophet Dag Heward-Mills, Maria exceptionally brightened our screens with her jolly dance styles during the Grace Dance.
Indeed such Joyous News! Maria is dancing in Heaven with Jesus, the angels and her everlasting, never-ending Dancing Star Ministry!
We know Angels live forever, so we are assured Maria lives in our hearts forever.
Adieu, Maria.
Nana Adjoa Addae
Linda Afua Yaago Martinson was born in Tema on 25th March 1977 to Mr. Theophilus Kofi Asa Martinson and Mrs. Gladys Martinson.
Linda joined the Lighthouse Chapel International at Korle Gonno, Accra, Ghana in the early 1990s where she gave her life to Christ. She later joined the branch of the church in Tema where she lived with her family. She faithfully served the Lord Jesus Christ in the church and was appointed a Pastor in 2002.
Lady Pastor Linda relocated to the United Kingdom with her husband in 2007. They started a branch of the church in Newcastle in 2008 and were transferred to the branch in Leeds in 2010. Later the same year she started a branch in Wakefield where she served as the Pastor until she relocated to Uganda in 2017.
On 23rd January 2023, Lady Pastor painfully passed on. Her passing was a great shock to many including the church in Kampala. Her impact on the mission in Kampala was immense and we hold great memories which cannot be erased. She was instrumental in supporting many church programs and activities. She brought many souls to Christ and taught and mentored them. Many of them are established in the Lord, and some have become Shepherds and Pastors of the church.
Lady Pastor Linda’s funeral service was held on 4th March 2023 at the Cornerstone Cathedral of Loyalty House International in Tema Community 8, where Bishop Mawusi Adagbe is the Resident Bishop. The Convener, Bishop Ismael Sam, was present at the service. Also in attendance was Bishop Ben Lokko, Reverends, Pastors and hundreds of church members and people from various walks of life.
Bishop Eddy Addy from Makarios church graced the occasion with his fatherly and comforting presence. He also conducted the service. The atmosphere was obviously very solemn during the reading of the many tributes but also very hopeful and encouraging hearing the many great works that Lady Pastor Linda had done for the Lord. Bishop Addy therefore encouraged all to remain steadfast and unmovable in our service to the Lord taking a leaf from the achievements of our dear sister.
Lady Pastor Linda was 45years old and survived by her husband, her son Zachariah and 5 siblings.
Farewell faithful servant of the Lord.
Reverend Gustav Offei-Manu
Isabella Selasi Baalu was born on 13th December, 1986. She joined the Lighthouse Chapel International as a student in KNUST where she served faithfully as a church planter.
Shortly after her marriage in November 2012 to Reverend Bertinus Baalu, she followed in obedience as a young missionary wife and moved to settle with him in Burundi.
She was very instrumental in the building of the church, playing key roles and assisting in various church projects. In 2013, she was appointed a pastor by Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, her spiritual father. The church in Burundi testify of her works and love as she touched many lives and helped build the church. After eight remarkable years on the mission field, she followed her husband who was transferred back to Ghana. The Duo sojourned briefly at the Firstlove Church and then moved to the Sampa Valley branch of the Qodesh Family Church denomination where she served faithfully until her death on the 29th of December, 2022.
The Funeral Service was held at the Qodesh Family Church (QFC). Bishop Nii Adjeidu Armar, Resident Bishop and Convener of the Qodesh Family Church Denomination. Amongst the Bishops in attendance were Bishop David Asomani and Bishop Kwabena Denkyirah of the Makarios Church Denomination and Machaneh Church respectively. Also in attendance were other Bishops, Episcopal Sisters, Reverends and Pastors from within and outside the QFC Denomination.
The First Lady, Episcopal Sister Adelaide Heward-Mills graced the ceremony with her motherly presence which was very comforting to the husband, family and entire congregation.
Archbishop Kwasi Ampofo conducted the Funeral Service. The atmosphere was solemn but very hopeful. The congregants listened and reflected on their own lives as tributes to our dear LP Bella were read. Archbishop Kwasi Ampofo, expounded on Matthew 25, the Parable of the Ten Virgins, emphasizing the need to be prepared and ready when the Lord invites us to the Great Feast. He encouraged and assured all gathered that our dear Bella was ready and has gone to be with the Lord and also reminded all to be ready when invited by the Lord.
The influence that LP Bella’s short but impactful life had on many lives was evidenced by the crowd that graced the funeral service, which saw an attendance of over 700 people.
LP Isabella Selasi Baalu will be fondly remembered for her great input in helping to build the church in Allos KNUST, Burundi and the Sampa Valley churches.
LP Bella was 36 years old and is survived by her husband, Rev. Bertinus Kakra Baalu and two children, Charis and Kemuel; as well as her mother and two sisters.
She continues to live on in Glory.
Farewell faithful servant of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lp Christa Seneagya
Dear Brethren,
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. On behalf of the founder and Presiding Bishop, I would like to thank you all for the many calls, messages of goodwill and concern from all over the world over the past few days.
It is a difficult time for our Father and his family, as well as the entirety of the United Denominations. However, the Lord has strengthened and comforted us and we are moving forward trusting Him for strength and grace.
This past week, the Presiding Bishop received visits of comfort and consolation from various persons from all walks of life.
Among them were the President of the Republic of Ghana, the Vice President, the former President and representatives from various political organizations. The Electoral Commissioner and a Supreme Court judge were also received by the family.
Eminent clergy from the Pentecostal, Charismatic and Orthodox Churches and organizations were also present to offer condolences. These included the leaders of the Ghana Charismatic Bishops Conference, The Christian Council, The Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, the National Association of Charismatic Christian Churches and the trustees of the National Cathedral Project.
CitiFm and CitiTv also sent a delegation of journalists led by the CEO to pay respects and to mourn with us.
The Chiefs of Akuapim Mampong and Tutu were also present and brought their condolences.
We were also privileged to host the Vice Chancellor of UPSA with us.
These visits offered touching words of encouragement to the family and to the church at this difficult time, and were much appreciated.
Kindly note that the Presiding Bishop and his family will no longer be receiving guests. Details of the funeral and burial arrangements will be communicated shortly.
I ask that you keep the Presiding Bishop and his family in your prayers as we navigate these trying times with the help and grace of God.
The Convener of the UD-OLGC.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15
The funeral and burial service of the late Lady Pastor Elizabeth Opare-Obuobisa was held on Saturday the 12th of March at the Kigali Cathedral, Rwanda of the Lighthouse Chapel International Keganda Denomination.
In attendance were Episcopal Sister Adelaide Heward-Mills (First Lady of UD-OLGC), Archbishop Kwasi Ampofo (Archbishop of the UD-OLGC), Apostle Joel Opare Obuobisa (Convener of QFC Americas) senior brother of the widower (Rev. Gabriel Opare Obuobisa), Lady Rev. Sheila Amponsah, Senior sister of Rev. Gabriel Opare-Obuobisa, Bishop Isaac Oblitey Commey (Convener of LCI Keganda Denomination) and his wife Lp Lilian Commey.
Lp Elizabeth Opare-Obuobisa was born on 10th of December 1978.
She joined Lighthouse Chapel International from the New Cross branch in the UK and served faithfully under Bishop Richard Aryee. She got married to Rev. Gabriel Opare-Obuobisa in 2006.
When her husband was sent in 2010 to start the Rwanda mission, she followed in obedience as a missionary wife and moved to settle with him in Kigali and was very instrumental in the building of the church. She played key roles in the setting up of the Choirs, Children’s Ministry and Women with Direction (at the time).
In 2013, she was appointed as a pastor in the church and served faithfully until her death on the 20th of February 2022.
Archbishop Kwasi Ampofo, conducted the Funeral Service. The atmosphere was solemn but very hopeful. The congregants listened and reflected on their own lives as the different tributes to our dear Lp Elizabeth were being read. Archbishop Kwasi Ampofo, expounded on scriptures from Psalm 90:12 “so teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.” He encouraged and assured all gathered that our dear Elizabeth has gone to be with the Lord and also reminded all present that our lives are as a contract that will end one day.
The funeral service was very well attended by Shepherds, Pastors, Reverend Ministers and all who had benefited from her short but beautiful and impactful life.
After the funeral service, burial rites were performed by Archbishop at Rusororo where her body was finally laid to rest.
In his final remarks, the Archbishop, pointed out clearly how Lp Elizabeth’s death reminds us of the life of Christ. Jesus left his home in heaven and came to die in a foreign place here on earth. In the same manner, Lp Elizabeth left her home country, Ghana, to come on missions in Rwanda where she died and has been buried.
May her dear soul rest in peace!
The following day, Sunday the 13th of March, was the Thanksgiving service held in honour of our dear Lady pastor at the Cathedral. The church hall was packed with worshippers, friends and well-wishers who had come to join to celebrate the beautiful life of Lp Elizabeth. The atmosphere at the church service was uplifting with vibrant praise and worship.
The choir that she built and nurtured till her last breath, also ministered beautifully to bid her farewell.
The First Lady of the UD, Episcopal Sister Adelaide Heward-Mills brought greetings of love and encouragement from the Presiding Bishop and Founding Father, Dag Heward-Mills to the church.
The Archbishop preached about Anagkazo from Luke 14:16-23. He stirred up the hearts of all present unto greater works of fruitfulness and admonished them to operate in the compelling spirit of Anagkazo so that more souls can be brought to the House of God.
At the end of the sermon, the power of God was greatly manifested with over one hundred souls giving their lives to Christ.
The family also expressed their heartfelt gratitude to God and to all the senior ministers for their love and support during this hard time.
Lady Pastor Elizabeth Opare-Obuobisa will be fondly remembered for her great input in helping to build the Rwandan Church.
Lp Elizabeth was 43 years old and is survived by her husband, Rev. Gabriel Opare-Obuobisa and their two children; Joelle and Jeremy.
May her soul rest in perfect peace.
It is with a heavy heart that we announce to you that we lost our dear Lady Pastor Marian Afriyie-Opoku of the Makarios Cathedral, on September 8th, 2021. We ask the Lord to Comfort and Strengthen her family and all of us.
God is still WITH us! God is still FOR us! God is still IN us!; and He is on His throne!!!